Baby reflexes get more precise
Your baby can now move their arms and legs, grimace, suck on a finger, frown, swallow, get the hiccups, open their mouth, and play with the umbilical cord [1]. You may have noticed or will notice soon, that the baby’s movements become more pronounced if someone is talking loudly next to you or if loud music is playing.
The baby’s digestive system continues to improve. In the intestine, meconium is now present. Meconium is the baby’s first feces, consisting of cells from the digestive tract, bile, and dead epithelial cells that line the mucous membrane of internal organs [2].
Subcutaneous fatty tissue continues to form. It will gradually help fill out the baby’s skin, smoothing wrinkles and softening its bright red color. Subcutaneous fat is deposited primarily around the neck, chest, and kidneys. Outside, the skin is still covered with a layer of primordial grease that protects it from irritation and helps retain heat.
If you are expecting twins
Your babies are now about the size of large cucumbers. They move quite actively and play with the umbilical cord. If they have a common fetal sac, then there is a high risk that the umbilical cords will intertwine. Therefore, mothers of identical twins often have to go in for additional ultrasounds [3]. If each twin has their own fetal sac, the cords can't get tangled, but twins are still scanned more often than a single baby.
What can be seen on ultrasound
The baby is lying with their back to the screen, which makes it possible to see the left shoulder, armpit, forearm, elbow, and wrist. The neck is easier to see, around which subcutaneous fat is gradually being deposited.
hand
head
The following image is quite sweet because we can see the baby’s tiny heels. The length of the feet at this time is just under 3 cm (28 mm). They are distinguishable by the smallest detail: Rounded calcaneus and metatarsal ossicles appear as small white squares.
feet
In the following image, the baby’s position is not the most convenient, but because they are actively moving, they can take the most unexpected positions.
The head is against the chest, the forehead and nose are visible, and the lips are too. We can also see the spine, the left shoulder, and the hand, which are lying along the body. You can see the baby’s legs — including the thigh, lower leg, and right patella — with the feet resting on the placenta.
spine
leg
head
hand
